Nevada National Guard Blackhawk helicopters fight wildfire

Nevada National Guard Blackhawk helicopters fight wildfire

Jul. 15, 2017

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The Nevada National Guard used two Blackhawk helicopters on Friday to douse the flames of a wildfire that's rolling through Washoe County.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports (http://on.rgj.com/2texrq0 ) the helicopters are capable of picking up 650 gallons (2,460 liters) of water in a single pass.

They filled at Washoe Lake and made the short flight to the fire repeatedly throughout the late afternoon and into early evening. Firefighters also used fixed wing aircraft.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District tweeted Friday night that the fire was 10 percent contained. The fire had burned about 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) as of Friday night. About 250-300 personnel were working to put the fire out overnight.